When the movie The Help opens this week, hundreds of thousands of viewers will get swept up in the story of domestic workers who are struggling for dignity and respect in Civil Rights-era Mississippi. What those viewers might be surprised to learn is that across America, modern domestic workers are living out that struggle today.
Category Archives: Fernando Mejia
Hispanics are the Hardest Hit of the Economic Recession
A recent study released by the Pew Research Center brought to light the fact that Hispanics have been the hardest hit during this economic recession. According to this study, the decline in the housing market in 2006 and the economic recession from 2007 to 2009 were enormously felt in communities of color. For instance, theContinue reading “Hispanics are the Hardest Hit of the Economic Recession”
Insurance Companies Weaken Language Access Regulations while Getting Wealthier
A few weeks ago, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a regulation stipulating that insurance companies only have to provide language services to a person with Limited English Proficiency if 10% of people in their county speak their same language. This is a high bar – only 177 out of 3,143 counties inContinue reading “Insurance Companies Weaken Language Access Regulations while Getting Wealthier”
Growing Resistance against Anti-immigrant Legislation
In July of 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Arizona’s infamous SB 1070, a bill requiring police in that state to check the immigration status of anyone they “suspect” of being undocumented. A year later, Alabama has taken a step further by targeting immigrant children — schools would be required toContinue reading “Growing Resistance against Anti-immigrant Legislation”
Medicaid Makes a Difference
Alliance Executive Director LeeAnn Hall had a commentary published in Truthout about the importance of defending the nation’s Medicaid program. LeeAnn wrote: “With wrenching unemployment and the housing market still in the tank, this may be the worst possible time to think about gutting Medicaid. Yet, the program still faces a slew of threats… “WithContinue reading “Medicaid Makes a Difference”
Gutierrez Urges Latinos to Claim Political Power
On May 27, the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevadav (PLAN), an Alliance for a Just Society affiliate, hosted U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez at their “Familias Unidas” summit on immigration issues. Gutierrez delivered the event’s keynote speech, speaking alongside community members who shared their personal stories of how the current immigration system separates families and closesContinue reading “Gutierrez Urges Latinos to Claim Political Power”
Fighting New York City’s Wrongful Deportation Policies
In June of 2009 Ricardo Muñiz, an undocumented migrant from Mexico, was attacked by two men who shouted anti-gay and anti-immigrant slurs while beating him. Ricardo went to the local police precinct to report the attack. Days later, the police arrested Ricardo, accusing him of having committed an attack against his perpetrators. In August ofContinue reading “Fighting New York City’s Wrongful Deportation Policies”
Immigration Victories in Arizona and Beyond
Following the passage of Arizona’s racist, anti-immigrant law SB 1070, there is good news. In the wake of SB 1070, five anti-immigrant bills have been defeated in Arizona. One of the bills defeated included the denial of birth right citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants. But the worst of one of all proposed requiring hospitalsContinue reading “Immigration Victories in Arizona and Beyond”
Washington CAN! and Allies Testify Against Bill Targeting Undocumented Immigrants
On Thursday, February 3, the Washington State Legislature Transportation Committee held a public hearing on SB 5407, a bill that would take away the ability of undocumented, tax-paying immigrants to obtain Washington state driver licenses. The bill would make people provide a social security number or proof that they are in the US legally toContinue reading “Washington CAN! and Allies Testify Against Bill Targeting Undocumented Immigrants”
Immigration Lessons from a Conservative State: The Utah Compact
In January a delegation of leaders and members of the Alliance for a Just Society went to Salt Lake City, Utah to learn about the Utah Compact. The Utah Compact is a set of principals designed to guide Utah citizens, goverment, and community leaders in speaking about immigration issues in a humane and respectful way.Continue reading “Immigration Lessons from a Conservative State: The Utah Compact”